Penn State's football schedules complete through 2018. Appalachian State the latest addition.

Penn State announced Thursday that it will open the 2018 season against Appalachian State, which became an FBS member this season.

The Lions will host Appalachian State in the season-opener Sept. 1. It will be the first meeting between the two teams.

Appalachian State, located in Boone, N.C., is a first-year member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Mountaineers, who won three straight FCS titles from 2005-07, haven't been shy about scheduling Power 5 opponents. They have played Michigan twice (including this season) and will visit Clemson, Tennessee and Georgia in the future.

Hope you enjoyed the trip to Ireland, because Penn State won't be leaving Pennsylvania for a non-conference game until at least 2019. The Lions have noncon road games scheduled next year against Temple and 2016 and '18 against Pitt.

Like visiting schools outside the Big Ten? That won't happen until at least 2019, either. Penn State's last non-conference visit to another university was Virginia in 2012. From 2013-18, this is Penn State's non-conference "road" schedule.

2013: vs. Syracuse (at MetLife Stadium)

2014: vs. Central Florida (in Dublin, Ireland)

2015: vs. Temple (at Lincoln Financial Field)

2016: vs. Pitt (at Heinz Field)

2017: None

2018: vs. Pitt (at Heinz Field)

In 2016 and '17, Penn State is scheduled to play nine consecutive conference games without a bye. Coach James Franklin said on a recent radio show that he's trying to change those schedules. In both years, Penn State has byes before opening conference play.